What Hazards does SERVPRO Have to be Mindful of When Dealing with Fire and Soot Damage?

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot travel throughout the house and an be difficult to clean. SERVPRO has the answers!

Setauket Homeowners Need Safety-Conscious Fire and Soot Damage Restoration Crews

Home safety is something most Setauket homeowners are aware of, at least some of the time. We all know the importance of not leaving a burning candle unattended and always keeping on top of roof repairs. When it comes to a disaster in the home, safety becomes even more critical, and you need a repair crew who will put safety first.  

Fire and soot damage to your Setauket home brings a slew of potential hazards. It would be helpful if you had access to a restoration team that understands how to identify and mitigate risks and create a safe working space. Good safety practices mean peace of mind for you and your family and a lower-risk remediation project.  

What Kind of Training Does SERVPRO Give Its Employees? 

We train all our technicians to the standards set by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The IICRC offers the industry standard in cleaning practices, which means our SERVPRO techs are up-to-date on the best practices and techniques for every aspect of remediation.  

Because SERVPRO of Port Jefferson is a Franchise, our team has access to national training resources, including:

• Training at our training facility
• Self-paced e-learning 
• Opportunities for professional development and ongoing training 

What Structural Hazards Are There During Restoration? 

Structural safety is one of the main concerns when remediating fire and soot damage. Fire can wreak havoc with walls, ceilings, roofs, and crawl spaces, leaving your home unstable. For example, there is the risk of falling debris, sagging ceilings, or even sharp edges that could cause a wound. 

We equip our teams with hard hats and safety boots, and securing the working area's safety is our priority. If we need to call in an engineer or other professional to help keep the site safe, we will. SERVPRO teams will advise when it is safe to enter, so please follow their directions.  

We also know the potential for slip, trip, and fall hazards. These can be caused by: 

• Floors that are wet from firefighting efforts
• Soot residue on tile floors
• Walking onto hardwood floors after stepping on a damp surface
• Protruding nails or splinters, unstable flooring, or holes 

Our teams will set up caution signs to warn workers and families of potential problems. 

What About The Risks of Fire And Soot? 

Smoke in Setauket is a hazardous substance that can be noxious. We furnish our teams with personal protective equipment, including aprons, gloves, and respirators, to keep them safe while working. Because soot can be hazardous and damage your home, the residue must be cleaned thoroughly. 

Our teams understand the different kinds of soot and how it interacts with various surfaces. We can take care of cleaning soot from: 

• The walls and ceilings of your home
• Textiles such as linens, drapes, and carpets
• Upholstery and cushions
• Wooden and metal furniture 

The best way to deal with soot is thorough cleaning – and that is what we do best. We use a range of scrubbing actions, chemical cleaning, and sometimes media blasting to clean the soot out of every nook and cranny. We can also use ultrasonic and hydraulic cleaning for soft furnishings, linens, drapes, and spot cleaning for more delicate upholstery. 

Is There A Danger From Firefighting Chemicals? 

Firefighting chemicals are a necessary part of extinguishing a blaze – but they can also be toxic. We recommend you dispose of all food, cosmetics, make-up, and medicines exposed to firefighting chemicals. It is better to replace them than run the risk of contamination. Our cleaning process also helps remove leftover residues from firefighting efforts. 

Are There Any Hazards From Fogging? 

We aim to leave your home "Like it never even happened." That means leaving it smelling fresh too. Thermal fogging is a powerful way to deal with leftover odors, but it comes with its risks, of which our technicians must stay aware. 

Thermal fogging chemicals are flammable, so our technicians must extinguish all pilot lights, stoves, water heaters, ranges, etc., before beginning. We also turn off any electrical devices that could cause a spark. We do not begin fogging until you, your family, and your pets are clear of the area. We also post signs to let people know fogging is in progress, and we will advise you can safely re-enter the room. We also ventilate the area thoroughly before you come back. 

Fire and soot damage can cause many hazards. You can rely on SERVPRO to take care of risks and advise you when it is safe to re-enter damaged areas. For help with fire and soot cleanup, call SERVPRO of Port Jefferson at (631) 476-5300.